Feel safer?

Erik Hoffner of Truthout reports that some police departments, like the New York Police Department, have begun to scan the irises of those protesters they arrest during protest actions. Since many of those arrested are neither charged with nor convicted of a crime — indeed, the arrested may not have even been protesters! — these scans serve to deter some of the arrested protesters by indicating that they have gained an enduring official record of their identity and their protest activities. These scans are likely part of a database the relevant local governments are compiling on the protesters. It is prudent to assume that the data collected locally is also shared with the Federal government.

Iris scanning has become a common practice in New York City.

Related articles

• NYPD Forces Iris Scans (alan.com)
• Police state Chicago? (atung.net)